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Browsing by Author "A. van der Werf"

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    Enhancing Early Growth to Exploit Indigenous Soil P and Fertilizer P
    (2013-01) A.L. Smit; M. Blom-Zandstra; A. van der Werf; Bindraban, Prem S.
    This study investigates the hypothesis that enhancing early plant growth can lead to a more efficient utilization of phosphorus (P) from both indigenous soil resources and P fertilizers. Phosphorus availability is a limiting factor for crop production globally, and substantial amounts of mineral P fertilizer are applied to sustain food production. However, the efficiency of P fertilizer use remains low, with considerable losses throughout the production chain. Furthermore, excessive P application can lead to P accumulation in soils. As P resources are finite, improving plant uptake ability becomes crucial. This report focuses on analyzing the impact of early root growth on enhancing plant P uptake, irrespective of soil P levels.
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    Plant Strategies and Cultural Practices to Improve the Uptake of Indigenous Soil P and the Efficiency of Fertilization
    (2013-01) A.L. Smit; M. Blom-Zandstra; A. van der Werf; Bindraban, Prem S.
    This study investigates the hypothesis that enhancing early plant growth can improve the utilization of phosphorus (P) from both indigenous soil resources and fertilizer P. Phosphorus availability is a critical factor limiting crop production worldwide, with substantial variation in P fertilizer application rates across continents. The annual input of mineral P fertilizer in global food production exceeds crop P offtake, resulting in P accumulation in soils. This inefficiency in P utilization is exacerbated by losses in the production chain, with erosion being a major contributor. As finite P resources dwindle, maximizing efficiency becomes imperative. To efficiently exploit accumulated P in soils and enhance the uptake of newly applied P fertilizers, early plant root growth must be improved. This report analyzes the impact of early root growth on enhancing plant P uptake, irrespective of soil P levels.
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    Plant Strategies and Cultural Practices to Improve the Uptake of Indigenous Soil P and the Efficiency of Fertilization
    (2013-04) Bindraban, Prem S.; A.L. Smit ; M. Blom-Zandstra; A. van der Werf
    Phosphorus (P) availability is a significant constraint in global crop production. Current annual mineral P fertilizer input exceeds the actual uptake by crops, leading to P accumulation in soils and inefficient resource utilization. This study investigates the hypothesis that enhancing early plant growth can improve P uptake from indigenous soil resources and fertilizer P. The low recovery rate of applied mineral P fertilizer, typically less than 30%, is attributed to its binding with soil complexes, making it less available for plant uptake. The soil solution often exhibits very low P concentrations compared to root concentrations, emphasizing the need to increase P availability or enhance plants' ability to extract P from soil complexes. In regions with P-deficient soils, substantial P applications are required to improve fertility and enhance crop yields. Similarly, unintentional excess P application occurs in areas with nutrient surpluses, resulting from concentrated livestock production and subsequent manure application. These fertile soils can contain excessive total soil P, far exceeding the annual crop uptake. If these soil P reserves were fully available to crops, they could sustain agricultural production for several hundred years. Case studies in Africa demonstrate the relationship between total soil P content and maize grain yield, indicating the potential longevity of soil P reserves in sustaining production. Even soils with relatively low fertility levels have sufficient total P content to support production for over a hundred years. However, the assumed P content in crop biomass may be lower at these sites, implying even longer sustainability. By enhancing early plant growth, this study aims to improve plant P uptake efficiency, effectively utilize accumulated soil P, and optimize the uptake of newly applied P fertilizers. The findings of this research contribute to developing strategies for sustainable P management, promoting efficient resource utilization and improved crop productivity.